New Options For Treatment Of Type 2 Diabetes (NAPSA)—Overthe past decade, diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in the US. Most of the increaseis in type 2 diabetes— now affecting an estimated 16 million Americans—a disorder in which the body does not make enough and/or does not properly use insulin, resulting in high blood glucose (blood sugar) wi levels. Another 1 million Americans have type 1 diabetes, which results from the body’s failure to produce insulin. Often occurring with obesity, type 2 diabetes can be associated with debilitating and life-threatening complications such as blindness, kidney disease and nerve damage. People who have diabetes are two to four times morelikely to die from heart disease and stroke. Diabetes is also a leading cause of limb amputations in the U.S. Manypeople with type 2 diabetes initially can be treated through diet and exercise. However, as the disorder progresses, an oral antidiabetic drug (OAD) maybe prescribed to keep blood glucose undercontrol. One such OAD, Prandin (repaglinide), when taken up to 30 minutes before meals, acts rapidly to stimulate insulin production. This helps control the surge in blood glucose following food consumption. You can “treat when you eat.” Because diabetes is often a progressive disease, patients may have to take more than one OAD. New research shows that Prandin can be used effectively in combination with another type of OAD People with type 2 diabetes should speak with their healthcare professionals about new treatment options. called insulin sensitizers. “Patients with type 2 diabetes have a progressive disease often to the point where diet and exercise andthe first oral drug prescribed are not enough to maintain good blood glucose control,” said Dr. Alan J. Garber, professor of medicine, chemistry andcell biology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. “Prandin is a highly effective agent to use with insulin sensitizers because of its ability to augment mealtime insulin secretion and proven efficacy in attaining glycemic control.” He added that many patients with type 2 diabetes eventually may need to take insulin injections to control blood glucoselevels. To learn more, see your doctor, visit www.novonordisk-us.com or call 1-800-727-6500. People with type 2 diabetes should speak with their healthcare providers about treatment options. The recommended dose range for Prandin is 0.5 mg to 4 mg taken 0-30 minutes before meals, up to a maximum of 16 mg per day. Patients who miss a meal (or add an extra meal) should skip (or add) a dose for that meal. Prandin is rapidly absorbed, and rapidly eliminated from the bloodstream. Besides helping to control blood glucose surges after meals, Prandin also helps to control fasting blood glucose levels. As with all blood glucose-lowering drugs, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is possible in people taking Prandin. Other symptoms reported by patients taking Prandin in clinical trials include cold- and flu-like symptoms, headache, diarrhea, joint ache, and back pain. In combination with sensitizers, additional side effects may also include fluid retention and weight gain.
